Police are continuing to focus on finding the vehicle that Christchurch woman Mellory Manning got into on the night she died.
"We are concentrating on the vehicle that Mallory got into around 10.30 p.m. We have several good pieces of information that we are currently firming up on and are continuing to cross reference these sightings with camera footage that we have," Detective Inspector Greg Williams said.
DI Williams said Mellory had been subjected to a very violent attack and there were signs she had struggled.
"It is likely that Mellory was strangled and this would have most likely rendered her unconscious.
"Close to this happening she has sustained a number of significant blows to her head resulting in severe head injuries. It would be expected that there would have been significant blood loss at the time of this injury. From these wounds and marks on her legs it is believed that the weapon used is similar to a piece of reinforcing steel in size."
DI Williams said Mellory had also been stabbed several times in the chest. The pathologist describes the weapon used as being at least 160mm long and about 20 mm wide. It appears that this has occurred while Mellory was near death.
"We also believe that Mellory has probably gone in the water very quickly after the attack.
"Even with 29 years in the Police I was shocked at the level of violence that Mellory has been subjected to and I want implore anyone who might be protecting this person, or people, or has knowledge about their involvement, to come forward."
DI Williams said the examination of the watch by a jeweller indicates that it was in good working order and a test revealed that it would have stopped when it came in contact with water.
"While we cannot be sure that this was the exact time Mellory went in the water at this stage it gives us a time to work around. I stress to the public that if they have any information about activities they may have seen between 10.30pm and 6.55 am Friday morning, when Mellory's body was found, then they should contact us immediately.
Police are pleased with the information that continues to flow into the investigations team.
"Again we thank the public for the information they have given us and want people to keep calling us even if they don't think that it would be important or we might already know it.
DI Williams said the Police investigation team were currently in a massive intelligence phase and cross referencing information from a number of sources.
"It might be that the piece you have that might make it all fit together, so please let us know."
ENDS